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Monday February 29, 2016

We have our plans, and then there are God’s plans. Moses was an Israelite adopted into nobility, educated in the finest schools, and raised in an Egyptian palace. While he enjoyed a life of privilege, his countrymen were slaves. Because of God’s divine intervention, his biological mother was hired as his nanny. I can envision his mother constantly reminding him: “Moses, you were placed here on purpose. There will come a day when you will set our people free.”

One Day, Moses witnessed an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave. His passion for justice reached a boiling point and he decided to carry out a poorly devised plan. Moses killed the Egyptian. The following day Moses encountered the Hebrew slave. More than likely he was expecting some appreciation and praise but all he received was an expression of anger. The Hebrew asked: will you kill me too? Immediately, Moses knew that his plan had gotten him into big trouble. Therefore, Moses fled, hiding in the backside of the wilderness more than likely never expecting to return to Egypt.

Roughly, forty years later when Moses was around eighty years old, his countrymen were still enslaved. However, now God was ready to set His people free. More than likely you would have never thought to send this old runaway version of Moses back to Egypt; neither would I, but God did. Only this time God would carry out His purpose, His way, and on his timing. The only problem with God’s plan was, if a forty year old, strong, educated, and trained in battle Moses could not liberate the people, how would a weakened, runaway, old man do it?

Exodus 3:6-8, 10-11 NLT

 I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God. Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land.

 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”  God answered, “I will be with you.

Moses’ question is reflective of his forty years worth of education in the wilderness. Passion, preparation, and education alone, will not accomplish that divine purpose. This time God made it clear; I am God, I have seen, I have heard, and I am aware… I will rescue and lead, I am sending you… “I will be with you” was God’s answer to Moses’ question.

I believe most Christians live their lives never attempting anything that requires divine intervention. They are content with asking God for prosperity and safety for themselves and their loved ones, things that with diligence they can accomplish on their own. However, God has created everyone with a divine purpose in mind, but His purpose will always necessitate His divine intervention.

Moses’ plan was shallow and ill conceived, not because he lacked passion, preparation, or education. It was because he did not realize at age forty what he finally realized at age eighty. This is that our plans do not require divine intervention. Then you have God’s plans, which can only be achieved through divine intervention.

Let me ask you: what are you working on that requires God’s intervention?